Jeongeun "Jeeno" Thitikul surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the AIG Women's Open, while England's Charley Hull experienced a roller‑coaster opening day in her quest for a long‑awaited major title. Thitikul delivered a flawless, bogey‑free 64 at the historic Royal Lytham & St Annes course, tallying seven birdies and securing a two‑stroke cushion over two‑time major champion Haeran Ryu and Japan's Shiho Kuwaki. The 22‑year‑old from Thailand, currently ranked world No. 2, demonstrated why she is considered one of the sport's brightest prospects, combining precise iron play with a deft short game that left the gallery in awe.
Ryu, who posted a five‑under 66, remains in contention as she attempts to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to capture three majors in a row. Solheim Cup stalwart Celine Boutier also enjoyed a clean start, posting a bogey‑free round that kept her within three shots of the lead and signaled her intent to challenge for the title.
Lottie Woad, another English hopeful, opened with a tidy two‑under 69, staying five strokes off the pace. Hull, a five‑time runner‑up in major championships who has yet to claim a victory, produced a volatile card of six birdies and four bogeys, also five shots behind the leader.
The British veteran's opening round was marked by dramatic swings that highlighted both her scoring potential and the challenges of navigating the demanding links layout. Defending champion Miyu Yamashita struggled, carding a 72 that left her eight strokes back, while world No.
1 Nelly Korda posted a two‑over 73 and now faces the prospect of missing back‑to‑back majors—a rare and unwelcome scenario for the American star. Hull's round began with promise as she rang in a long‑range birdie on the par‑three 1st, a shot that seemed to set the tone for a possible breakthrough. However, a three‑putt on the 2nd and a bogey on the 4th quickly reminded her of the fine margins at Royal Lytham. She recovered by capitalising on both front‑nine par‑fives, and a crucial 12‑foot putt on the 9th helped her post a respectable 34 for the front nine.
The Englishwoman briefly closed the gap to three shots after a birdie on the par‑five 11th and an incredible putt from off the green on the 15th, but a subsequent bogey on the 16th kept her level with Woad at two under par. "I was so nervous on that first tee – I was shaking!" Hull confessed to Sky Sports. "It felt great to start with a birdie, even though I missed a few putts later. Overall I think I played decently given how nervous I was." Woad's round was similarly mixed.
A dramatic lip‑out on the par‑five 6th forced her to settle for a birdie rather than an eagle, but she bounced back with a long‑range birdie on the par‑three 12th. The 22‑year‑old admitted that while she was hitting a high percentage of fairways and finding greens, she struggled to convert those opportunities into putts, especially from the 15‑ to 25‑foot range. "I hit a lot of fairways and a lot of greens – I just didn't make enough putts," Woad said. "Good shots around here are 15 to 25 feet from the flag, which aren't the easiest.
I got some nice rolls, but the putter didn't bite as often as I'd like." Thitikul's performance was historic; her 64 is the lowest opening round ever recorded at the AIG Women's Open at Royal Lytham. The Thai golfer, chasing her first major, displayed a complete game from tee to green, showcasing a fluid swing, strategic course management, and a confident putting stroke that kept the ball rolling toward the bottom of the cup. She overtook the early clubhouse target set by Ryu, who had previously won the KPMG Women's PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. Ryu's round featured six birdies against a single bogey, underscoring her consistency and putting her firmly in the conversation for a potential third consecutive major.
"I do enjoy it when golf is good," Thitikul remarked after her round. "It was great to know I was hitting solid shots. I even got a lucky bounce out of the pot bunker, and when things go your way, they really do. I also felt confident with my putter today." Beyond the individual battles, the tournament also serves as the final qualifying event for the European Solheim Cup team.
After this week's competition, eight automatic qualifiers will be confirmed on Sunday, with captain Anna Nordqvist set to announce her four captain's picks on Monday. Currently, Chiara Tamburlini holds a narrow lead over Helen Briem for the second spot via the Ladies European Tour rankings, although both have posted challenging opening rounds of 75 and 76 respectively.
The AIG Women's Open continues to attract global attention, with live coverage provided by Sky Sports Golf throughout the week. Early coverage begins Friday at 9 a.m., followed by full broadcast from 1 p.m.
Golf enthusiasts can also stream the action without a contract through various digital platforms. For those looking to experience the sport firsthand, special offers are available to book a round at any of the 1,700 courses across the United Kingdom and Ireland, providing an opportunity to play on some of the most celebrated courses in the world. As the tournament progresses, the narrative will focus on whether Hull can finally convert her runner‑up finishes into a victory, if Woad can sustain her steady play, and whether Thitikul can maintain her lead and claim her maiden major title.
The links at Royal Lytham & St Annes, with its undulating dunes, deep pot bunkers, and unpredictable coastal winds, will continue to test every facet of each competitor's skill set, promising drama, excitement, and perhaps a new champion by the final round.